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The Appeal | 
 enlarge | Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Doubleday
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy Used: $0.54
You Save: $27.41 (98%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  444 reviews
Sales Rank: 1162
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3
ISBN: 0385515049
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385515047
ASIN: 0385515049
Publication Date: January 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
As the author of twenty bestselling books, John Grisham has set the standard for legal thrillers since the debut of The Firm in 1991. Enjoy this Q&A--as well as a personal note to Amazon readers--from John Grisham. 1. Your new novel starts off where most courtroom dramas end--with the verdict. Where did you get the idea to reverse the usual order of events this time around?
The actual trial is not a terribly significant part of the story. Most all of the action and intrigue begins after the trial is over, with the verdict and the subsequent appeal.
2. The Appeal overtly suggests that elected judges can be bought. If the novel is meant as a cautionary tale, what's next--the Presidential primaries?
Why not? Over one billion dollars will be spent next year in the Presidential primaries and general election. With that kind of money floating around, anything can be bought.
3. Speaking of electoral politics, you've been more vocal recently about your political views ... first supporting Jim Webb for Senate and now endorsing Hillary Clinton for the White House. Have you given any thought to running for office yourself?
No. I made that mistake 25 years ago, and promised myself I would never do it again. I enjoy watching and participating in politics from the sidelines, but it's best to keep some distance.
4. This is your first legal thriller in three years. How did it feel to get back to the genre that started it all, and can fans expect another thriller from you next year?
I still enjoy writing the legal thrillers, and don't plan to get too far away from them. Obviously, they have been very good to me, and they remain popular. I plan to write one a year for the next several years.
5. Your nonfiction book The Innocent Man continues to be a bestseller in paperback. In your ongoing work with The Innocence Project, have you come across another story of the wrongfully convicted that begs to be written as nonfiction?
There are literally hundreds of great stories out there about wrongfully convicted defendants. I am continually astounded by these stories, and I resist the temptation to take the plunge again into non-fiction.
6. What's on your bedside reading list at the moment?
1. The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin
2. Eric Clapton's autobiography
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
Product Description
Politics has always been a dirty game.
Now justice is, too.
In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.
Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?
The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.
The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 439 more reviews...
 How much for a judge? October 14, 2008
Having lived in the US for almost five years I felt that a main reason why it is one of the best countries on the planet is the separation of powers. This great gift, however, is not a given, and is constantly under threat. An example is to appoint judges with a clear political agenda, thereby mixing the legislative and judicial branches, whereas judges should solely uphold the law. The Appeal, which deals with the meddling with the judicial branch of government is therefore close to my heart. Overall, the story is quite believable. If organizations that help you buy a judge don't exist already, they will certainly be there in future. The characters are described in great detail, which helps making this into a 500-page book. As the characters are mostly 1-dimensional a lot of this could have been left out though. In spite of that weakness I enjoyed reading the book a lot and never felt bored while reading it.
 Good return from Grisham October 13, 2008
I caveat this review with the mention that I read very few books of fiction. When I do I prefer Grisham style business/law stories.
The book had a very slow start for my taste, but about half way in I started to get very interested. I will concur with another reviewer that Grisham rather abruptly ends the story....much faster than he started it. Would have liked more details on how things went down in the end.
It is a good read for the simple fact that much of his story really does play out in states and counties around America. Scary thought that makes we want to be more aware of the real life political races in my back yard.
I enjoyed the book but be prepared for a few boring chapters as he lays out the history. Worth it in the end though.
The Appeal by John Grisham October 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the best book John Grisham has written. Everyone should read it now. Certainly before 11/4. It's not only a page turner but also a thought provoker.
 Good story, poor delivery October 9, 2008
The story has a good premise. But there is no carry through. There are card-board bad guys, plenty of victims, but no protagonist. Just bad guys and victims.
Palin? October 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The rise of this judge reminds me an AWFUL lot of Palin's recent entry to the political scene. Out of nowhere, with a wholesome background and almost no political experience, she gets propped up by the good ol' senator and a smarmy political team...hmmm...did McCain read this?
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